Having made the playoffs for the previous six seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs are yet to make it past the first round, but they come into 2023 as second favorites to lift this year’s Stanley Cup at NHL odds of +850.
Check out the five reasons why we believe Toronto can finally go all the way and denounce all who have been putting them down.
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1. Austin Matthews
From the moment Auston Matthews scored a hat trick on his debut back in 2016, the Maple Leafs knew they had someone special on their roster. Since then Matthews has gone on to score 259 goals and assisted a further 198 in 407 regular season games.
Matthews won the Rocket Richard trophy and Hart Memorial trophy in 2022 and also won the Rocket Richard trophy in 2021. Without a doubt this kid is the Leafs’ best player, and he needs to be 100% going into the playoffs if Toronto wish to make it all the way.
The one downfall for Matthews and Toronto in recent years has been the playoffs, with Matthews only producing 17 goals in 39 career post season games. It’s an issue they have had for a long time now, can they finally turn it around in 2023? Only time will tell.
2. Solid Goaltending
Toronto managed to bring in not one but two solid goaltenders this off-season. Matt Murray joined having previous played in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators, he will most likely be backup to Ilya Samsonov who played 44 games last season for the Washington Capitals, this will be his 4th season in the NHL.
Although, as of now, Toronto have stated both goaltenders are “auditioning” for the starters roll. Samsonov has an overall NHL record sitting at 79 games started with 2.81 total goals against and managed six total shutouts in those 79 games.
Murray has started almost treble the amount of games than Samsonov having been in the league since 2015, picking up a total of 14 shutouts in that time along with 2.77 goals against on average.
Fresh faced goaltenders and having a soil backup/rotation could be the key to Toronto finding that missing key in the cog.
3. Sheldon Keefe
Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe has only been in the league two seasons (entering his third) and has enjoyed some quick and fast success to date with the Maple Leafs.
This is a coach who is a student of the game, and it’s easy to see the strengths in Sheldon Keefe as an NHL coach.
Keefe has been given the players and roster depth to make a strong Stanley Cup run this season, it’s about time this team turned their fortunes around having had the longest Stanley Cup drought in the league.
Keefe and Toronto are aiming for a breakthrough season as an NHL pick.
4. Playoff Experience
As we stated this team has gone through 6 playoff series without a win, losing out in the first round on each occasion.
A further blow but sign of improvements is the fact they have lost 5 of those 6 series by just one game.
Losing that many games builds character and this team has plenty of it. Even down to captain John Tavares who has been involved in the post-season in 7 of the previous 10 years.
Making it past the first round has got to be Toronto’s main goal this season, after they get that monkey off their back, who knows how deep they can go on top-rated sportsbooks in the playoffs.
5. Last-Chance Saloon
The Maple Leafs can boast one of the best roster depths in the NHL these days. They are coming into this season in what will most likely be the last chance saloon to lift the Stanley cup for this current group of players (Austin Matthews, Jake Muzzin, John Tavares, William Nylander, Mitch Marner).
It is very likely there will be a rebuild after this season if they don’t produce the goods.
Ultimately, Toronto can make it far and deep into the playoffs. Ability-wise, they have the talent; at this stage, it is more of a mental barrier than anything else.
NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs to Win Stanley Cup (+850) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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